Swerve Festival Guide 2018: June

June is when festivals take root and start to flourish. This year, it’s not just because of the heat; June is the only month in 2018 that begins on a Friday.

Festival-goers should be prepared to hit the ground running—or posing, to be more accurate. The Banff Yoga Festival (June 1-3) welcomes those flexible in both body and spirit. Those of a different bent can take in the sixth annual Vantopia (June 1-3; named Vantopia 666 for the happy occasion) or Calgary Horror Con (June 2-3).

The 4th Street Lilac Festival—one of the biggies—goes June 4. The parade kicks things off at 10 a.m. and the food, fun and music go until 6 p.m. Those who want to take in two parades that day, can dash downtown, where the Disability Pride Parade “walks, rolls and dances” from Bankers Hall to Olympic Plaza, beginning at 11 a.m.

The Inglewood Night Market flowers June 8 and again on the second Fridays in July, August and September.

The Canmore International Improv Festival (June 20-24) returns for its second year. Its 10 shows include Showstopper!, an improvised musical that debuted at the Edinburgh Festival in 2008, and TEDxRFT, improvised TED talks from Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre.

New on the festival scene this year is the Calgary International Jerk Festival (June 30). Mercifully, it’s a celebration of Jamaican cuisine and Caribbean culture in general, not a celebration of our city’s most abrasive citizens and their global colleagues. –Bruce Weir

June Listings

Digging up a few festivals to attend.Faye Rogers /
Swerve

Banff Yoga FestivalWhen: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3What: Participants will be refreshed and renewed in yoga classes, hiking adventures, and cultural and social gatherings.Where: Fenlands Recreation Centre, Banff. banffyogafestival.com.

Empathy WeekWhen: Friday, June 1 to Thursday, June 7What: Presented by Humainologie. A week of interactive, multimedia events that promote and heighten individuals’ capacity for empathy, personal connection and recognition of shared humanity.Where: Various venues in Calgary. humainologie.com.

Vantopia 666When: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3What: Camping concert with priority parking for vans. Bands include Whitey Houston, Electric Owl, Riot City and Miesha and the Spanks.Where: Equity (one-and-a-half hours northeast of Calgary). facebook.com/vanditsvc.

Way Out West FestWhen: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3What: Celebrates the modern west within Calgary and the surrounding foothills with workshops, excursions, signature dinners and parties.Where: Various venues in Calgary. wayoutwestfest.ca.

Two Wheel SundayWhen: Sunday, June 3What: Motorcycle groups and scooter clubs gather to celebrate life on two wheels.Where: 5th Street and 42nd Avenue N.E. facebook.com/twowheelsunday.

History in the HillsWhen: Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8What: Set in a traditional camp circle around an archeological dig, History in the Hills celebrates aboriginal culture and the history of the Cypress Hills.Where: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Elkwater (three-and-a-half hours southeast of Calgary). 403-527-3371 ext. 7601, historyinthehillssociety.com.

Spruce Meadows NationalWhen: Wednesday, June 6 to Sunday, June 10What: The best show-jumping athletes and horses from throughout the world compete while you enjoy shopping, pony rides, face-painting, wagon rides and the Re/Max Prairie Dogs.Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.

Decimate MetalfestWhen: Thursday, June 7 to Sunday, June 10What: With Citizen Rage, Ninjaspy, The Order of Chaos, Filth, Widow’s Peak, Insurrection, Benevolent Like Quietus, From the Wolves and more.Where: Distortion, 3828 Macleod Tr. S. showpass.com.

Brooks Pro RodeoWhen: Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9What: Competitors from across North America gather to participate in the high-stakes rodeo events. The fun also includes carnival games, midway rides, beer gardens, live entertainment, parade and more.Where: Silver Sage Community Corral, Brooks (two hours east of Calgary). brookskinsmen.ca.

Doors Open CochraneWhen: Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9What: A behind-the-scenes look at town facilities and local businesses, including Studio West Foundry & Gallery, Krang Spirits and Half Hitch Brewing Company.Where: Around Cochrane. doorsopencochrane.ca.

Banff World Media FestivalWhen: Sunday, June 10 to Wednesday, June 13What: The world’s largest multi-platform production and development marketplace and conference. Guests include Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage; Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment; and Nany Abraham, executive vice-president, documentary programming, HBO.Where: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 405 Spray Ave., Banff. banffmediafestival.com.

Spruce Meadows ContinentalWhen: Wednesday, June 13 to Sunday, June 17What: A five-star tournament with world-class show jumping in a relaxed atmosphere with free admission and parking.Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.

Waterton Wildflower FestivalWhen: Thursday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 19What: Step into a veritable bouquet of wildflowers in the wildflower capital of Canada. The spectacular setting of Waterton Lakes National Park is home to more than 1,000 vascular plant species including half of all wildflower species found in Alberta.Where: Waterton Lakes National Park (three hours south of Calgary). 1-877-780-1998, watertonwildflowers.com.

Pig & Pinot FestivalWhen: Friday, June 15What: Presented by City Palate in support of Calgary Meals on Wheels. Sip and savour a global selection of red and white pinot wines while sampling the pork-centric creations of 12 teams of chefs competing for the Divine Swine trophy.Where: Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. S.W. citypalate.ca.

All Sport One DayWhen: Saturday, June 16What: Kids ages six and up can try a new sport at one of over 60 activities across the city (registration required).Where: Various venues around Calgary. sportcalgary.ca.

Kids Can CatchWhen: Saturday, June 16What: This get-together has a real hook, as kids and adults (those with fishing licences) are invited to try their luck with a rod and reel.Where: Mitford Park, 201 West Rock Rd., Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.

Okotoks Parade & Children’s FestivalWhen: Saturday, June 16What: A fun day full of free activities including a community pancake breakfast and the annual parade, followed by the children’s festival with well-known family entertainers, face painting, crafts, bouncy castles and more.Where: Elizabeth Street, Okotoks. 403-938-4404, okotoks.ca.

Banff MarathonWhen: Sunday, June 17What: Starting in the picturesque mountain village of Banff, participants run through a series of natural, wildlife and historical stages. Runs include marathon, half-marathon and 10K.Where: Starting in Banff’s Central Park. banffmarathon.com.

Medicine Hat JazzFestWhen: Sunday, June 17 to Sunday, June 24What: Bringing the best of jazz to southern Alberta.Where: Various locations around Medicine Hat. medicinehatjazzfest.com.

Sled Island FestivalWhen: Wednesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 24What: Annual independent multi-venue music and art festival showcasing emerging and established local talent alongside national and international musicians and artists. Headliners include The Flaming Lips, Shabazz Palaces, Deerhoof and Lido Pimienta.Where: Various venues in Calgary’s downtown and Beltline. sledisland.com.

Guy Weadick DaysWhen: Thursday, June 21 to Sunday, June 24What: Honouring one of the fathers of the Calgary Stampede with chuckwagon races and rodeo.Where: High River Agricultural Grounds (southwest corner of Hwy 2A and 543), High River. highriverag.com.

BuskersFestWhen: Saturday, June 23What: Entertainers of all ages busk throughout the streets of downtown Okotoks for this fun, free street festival that also features a street market with over 100 vendors from Market Square.Where: Elizabeth Street, Okotoks. 403-938-4404, okotoks.ca.

International Adventure Film FestivalWhen: Saturday, June 23What: A showcase for some of the best adventure films from around the globe. The Adventure Fair features Waterton-bawsed outdoor adventure specialists to give you tips on how best to enjoy all the area has to offer.Where: Waterton Lakes Opera House, 309 Windflower Ave., Waterton (three hours south of Calgary). mywaterton.ca.

Spruce Meadows Pan AmericanWhen: Tuesday, June 26 to Sunday, July 1What: The tournament now combines events from the former Canada One and Pan American tournaments and features riders from throughout North America.Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.

Canadian Roots Music CelebrationWhen: Saturday, June 30What: Featuring The Deep Dark Woods, Barney Bentall, Good For Grapes, and Elk Run & Riot.Where: Shaw Amphitheatre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. 1-800-413-8368, banffcentre.ca.

Family Festival Music Camp FundraiserWhen: Saturday, June 30What: Featuring games, silent auction, paint party, birthday cake, fireworks and music from a live band and DJ.Where: The Great Canadian Barn Dance near Hill Spring (two hours south of Calgary). 1-866-626-3407, gcbd.ca.

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Festival Guide 2018

Things to do

Swerve Rewind

After graduating from university in 1987, I shouldered my backpack and went off to Europe. I didn’t realize it at the time of my departure, but these actions were a faint echo—and I mean the faintest echo—of an earlier moment in my family’s history.

The annual kiddie centric blowout is upon us. Venues in and around Arts Commons will resound with screams of laughter and gentle admonishments (don’t kick the seat in front of you, don’t be mean to your brother/sister/classmate).